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Laydown clutch mounting

To the best of my knowledge it is usual to need an extractor to free the clutch housing from the main shaft splines. Upon removing the centre nut on mine the housing and plates almost fell out. I have excessiverotary play when the splines are "engaged and the only time that there is any resemblance of rigidity is when the centre nut is tightened and the male splines on the main shaft are pulled up against the shoulder on the inside of the spider. Something is definitely amiss and I welcome any comments that might lead me to the next step. Am I missing a spacer, have I got the wrong splined spider? I can't believe that any amount of wear could produce the play that I am witnessing. Any ideas?

On my AMC box the spider rode too far up the shaft and jammed it on so tight I had to buy a puller and nearly destroyed that getting the clutch off. Looking at new spiders some had the same detail as my old one (and yours) but RGM had some that on close inspection had a better stop detail that provided a positive butting to the end of the male AND female spline. I also think that 70foot pounds is too much and my clutch has 40 and some locktite. Plus a closely fitting washer under the nut that provides some support to the spider register. I would do a trial fit with just the spider and check you have clearance between the back of the spider and the face of the sleeve gear. If not grind clearance off the spider, your change quality will thank you.

Many thanks for your speedy reply Robert, your comments are most Helpful.

Re the spider, sleeve gear point: the back of my spider is nowhere near the end of the sleeve gear, in fact the end of the sleeve gear is on the other side of the inner chain case, a good 20mm away. That is one of the reasons that I asked if I am missing a spacer.

I have a vague memory that in your set up the sprocket or nut should have an extension that pokes through the inner case,perhaps over the years someone has fitted a new wrong replacement?.Usually for a racing set up.